Men's basketball team uses late run to defeat Shelton State
The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team finished on a 16-0 run to defeat No. 11 Shelton State 87-71 in the Josh Artis Classic Saturday at Titan Field House on the Melbourne campus.
Shelton State had rallied back to tie the game 71-71 with six minutes and 28 seconds remaining but the Bucs did not score again as the Titans defense held them while Silas Adheke, Ruot Monyyong and Michael Nuga made sure Eastern Florida State College would pick up their 14th straight win.
"Our defense buckled down, we guarded and rebounded and we are blessed with some really good players that made plays tonight," Eastern Florida State College men's basketball coach Jeremy Shulman said.
The Titans jumped out to a 17-4 lead in the first three minutes, 32 seconds behind guards Nuga, Nathanael Jack and Ahmed Ali.
Shelton State would fight back and tie the game 22-22 but the Titans would again score 16 of the next 19 points and headed to the locker room with a 49-40 lead.
"They are one of the best in the country for a reason," Shulman said of Shelton State who is 14-1 now. "They are so talented, so hard to guard. They are an outstanding ball club and our guys found a way today."
Ali led the Titans with 21 points and has scored at least 11 points in every game this season while Nuga finished with 19 points and Nathanael Jack had 13 in the win.
"So proud of our guys, an unbelievable effort. We really bonded together and took a true us vs. them mentality which is what we have to do," Shulman said.
The Titans head into the New Year 15-1 on the season and No. 5 in the country. Eastern Florida State College will host the New Year Classic Jan. 2-4 with the Titans hosting Monroe College at 5 p.m. Jan. 2. Miami Dade will play Harcum College at 7 p.m.
